Inca Trail vs Alternative Treks - which trek should I do?In 2004, the government regulated the traditional Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, limiting total staff and trekkers to 500 per day. We support the sustainable tourism - but the impact of this regulation has changed the face of trekking around Cusco forever and creating the so-called alternative treks.Why are they called Alternative treks? Because if the Classic Inca Trail permits are sold out (and they are usually sold out 3-4 months in advance) then you will need to do an “alternative.”The Salkantay trek has absorbed much of the "overflow" from the Inca Trail, and is the main “alternative” trek – with other popular ones the Inca Jungle Trail and numerous Lares treks............................................................................................................................................................Some Thoughts / AdviceWhat makes the Inca Trail so special?• It’s one of the most famous treks in the world• Hikes right into Machu Picchu using the Royal Road of the Incas - no other trek does this. • You arrive at Inti Punku, the famous Sun Gate with an impressive view over Machu Picchu at dawn. • Has a wonderful array of stunning ruins every day• Breathtaking scenery - from snowcapped mountains to dense lush cloud forest and jungle. • Good facilities and toilets at campsites• Despite large amounts of people, still moments for solitude in the mountains. • Sense of completing a very famous trek.What’s not so good about the Inca Trail?• 500 people depart every day (this includes tourists and trekking staff)• You need to book about 4 months in advance for high season and you MUST make the date you booked for. No changes allowed. If someone cancels then their permit will not be used. There is no waiting list. • Many groups are as large as 25 people (Apus Peru maximum group size is just 10 people) • Campsites very full, with full facilities - it’s not exactly a wilderness or adventure camping experience. • It’s a bit like a highway with many people on the trek • Locals can be a bit tired of seeing tourists. Good aspects of the alternative treks• On some of the treks (Moon stone ) you might be the only group departing that day• Sense of adventure and discovering new trails. • Real wilderness camping. • Isolation and remote atmosphere• What is lacking in ruins is usually made up by cultural interaction, meeting the locals. Not so good aspects of the alternative trails• You don´t walk into Machu Picchu• Not as well known, and therefore you can be concerned if you have made the right choice. (ie sometimes hard to find other trekkers who have done these routes.• There are not the high quality spectacular ruins along the other treks that you find along the Inca trail• Need to spend the night before your Machu Picchu visit in Aguas Calientes, and we recommend you take the bus up on the morning of your visit.• When you go home, no one is going to say “wow, you did the Vilcabamba trek!”